Healing Touch ~ What is it?
Healing Touch is a biofield (magnetic field around the body) therapy that is an energy-based approach to health and healing.
Healing Touch uses the gift of touch to influence the human energy system, specifically the energy field that surrounds the body, and the energy centers that control the flow from the energy field to the physical body.
These non-invasive techniques employ the hands to clear, energize, and balance the human and environmental energy fields, thus affecting physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. It is based on a heart-centered, caring relationship in which the practitioner and client come together energetically to facilitate the client's health and healing.
The goal of Healing Touch is to restore balance and harmonies in the energy system, placing the client in a position to self heal.
What do the experts say about Healing Touch?
"IN A FEW DECADES SCIENTISTS HAVE GONE FROM A CONVICTION THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ENERGY FIELDS IN AND AROUND THE HUMAN BODY TO AN ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT THEY EXIST."
-James Oschman Ph.D.
Energy Medicine, The Scientific Basis, 2000.
Healing Touch Research has been conducted in a wide variety of settings and with a number of different problems and situations including:
Cancer
Cardio-vascular disease
Death and dying
Endocrine/Immune function
Pain
Patient satisfaction and experience
Psychotherapy/Psychology
Post operative recovery
Stress
These studies demonstrate that there is support in favor of considering Healing Touch for providing integrative care and that patients assess it highly. Healing Touch research has been supported and/or funded by hospitals, universities, colleges, professional organizations, private foundations, and the National Institutes of Health, Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
How does Energy Healing work?
Many theoretical frameworks on how energy medicine works exist in the literature of quantum physics and holistic healing. However, while the exact physics mechanisms can not be definitively described at this time, the cumulative results of numerous related studies on energy medicine and consciousness indicate strong support that "something is happening" and that recipients respond positively to energy therapies such as Healing Touch.
Over the years, researchers have developed ways to measure the energy field. Theoretically, by correcting any defects in the energy field, energy therapy practices may facilitate healing of the body, mind and spirit.
Energy therapies focus on removing energy congestion that form in our energy fields (aura) and energy centers (chakras). Once these imbalances and disturbances are cleared, the energy channels resume their task of integrating the body, mind and soul to restore health and promote healing. It may also help to prevent future issues by restoring balance to energy field disturbances, which could later result in illness if left unbalanced.
To gain a deeper understanding of the science supporting energy healing, please refer to the many books, journal articles and research findings written on this subject. Scientific evidence does exist that supports the premise that energy healing is effective. However, an experience is worth a thousand words, so the receiving of a Healing Touch treatment can do more to understand this phenomena than all the writings in the world.
What are the benefits of Healing Touch?
NON INVASIVE
Healing Touch is done without the use of invasive procedures such as injections, inserting tubes, medication or surgery.
EFFECTIVE
Research has shown that Healing Touch facilitates the relaxation response and enhances the healing process.
NON TOXIC
Medications can cause side effects and must be monitored. Healing Touch restores balance and harmony to our natural biofield without the use of pharmaceuticals.
ECONOMICAL
Healing touch does not require the use of equipment or substances and can be done in any setting. An open heart, a set of hands and a willing spirit is all that is needed.
What to Expect from a Healing Touch Treatment
Healing Touch is a gentle, biofield (energy field) therapy that often facilitates a deep sense of calm and relaxation in the body-mind-spirit.
The treatment is typically administered while the client lies on a massage table with their clothes on. With your permission, the practitioner uses his/her hands to assess your biofield and proceeds to clear and balance it as needed using either off body touch (near body but no direct contact) or a gentle (still) touch over various areas of the body.
On occasion, one may experience an acceleration of the healing process and his/her symptoms may intensify for a brief time. When this happens, the recovery period of the illness is usually reduced.
What are some of the specific uses and facts about Healing Touch?
Healing Touch has been used in wound healing, pain management, stress management, before and after surgery and chemotherapy, and support and assistance in the dying process. Healing Touch is appropriate for all ages and states of health and/or illness.
Pain Control
Neck and Back Problems
Anxiety Reduction
Skin Problems
Wound and Fracture Healing
Premenstrual Syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis
HIV or A.I.D.S.
Hypertension
Heart and Lung Disease
Pre/Post Surgical Procedures
Headaches/Migraines
Autoimmune Disorders
Diabetes
Cancer
Grief Management
Arthritis
Rehabilitation
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
General Well Being
Disease Prevention
Spiritual Enhancement
Facts on Healing Touch:
In 1995, 41% if the population of the USA used one or more of the alternative healing methods to either complement or substitute for traditional medical techniques.
Hands-on touch modalities are used by more that 30,000 nurses in hospitals each year, and that the procedures are documented as legitimate medical techniques.
There are teams of medical doctors and nurses combining medical skills WITH hands-on and energy techniques in MOST major cities of the United States.
The world's first Touch Research Institute has been founded at the University of Miami's Medical School to further explore and document the benefits of touch therapy.
Documented studies have already shown that with hands-on work:
• Surgical wounds and sutures heal faster
• Burns clear up significantly sooner
• Circulation and breathing improve post surgically
• Premature infants have enhanced growth rate
What about traditional approaches to health care?
Healing Touch compliments traditional approaches to health and healing. It is not a substitute for them.
Note: Healing Touch is being taught to Hospital Nursing Staffs around the world and is part of the curriculum in eighty universities across the US and abroad, including:
Harvard University
Duke University
The University of New Mexico
Endorsements & Accreditations
Healing Touch Program has been peer-reviewed, and is endorsed by American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA). We are proud to be one of approximately 10 programs endorsed by AHNA. We are also endorsed by the Canadian Holistic Nurses Association (CHNA).
NCBTMB Endorsement
Healing Touch Program is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider under Category A. Provider Number 150588-00ANCC Accreditation
Healing Touch Program is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s COA.
Healing Touch Program is very excited to announce that we are now an accredited provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
ANCC is the world's largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization, and a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA). HTP is the first Energy Medicine education provider to achieve this status. We acknowledge the instructors and practitioners that make our program outstanding and thank you for all that you do.
How is Healing Touch Learned?
Since 1990, Healing Touch Program (HTP) has proudly granted practitioner certification to individuals who exhibit the professionalism, discipline and dedication required to meet the established criteria. The requirements are rigorous and are designed to instill knowledge, skill and confidence in the practitioner. The Healing Touch Certified Practitioner (HTCP) credential is recognized in Energy Medicine and allopathic medicine as a significant professional accomplishment.
People around the world and from all walks of life pursue the HTCP credential. Some are already professionally aligned with health care, others are interested in becoming aligned with health care and some find that their passion to do valuable work with others is fulfilled by doing Healing Touch. Many who receive the HTCP credential use it in a private practice setting as well as in another service profession.
Do I have to remove my clothes for a Healing Touch Session?
Healing Touch is non-invasive and may be done sitting or reclining. It takes approximately an hour. The only clothing removed is socks and shoes. The entire session lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes with brief discussions before and after the session.
For more information or to set an appointment:
Leslie M. Shurbet
Healing Touch Practitioner
210.618.7434
lesliemichele@gvtc.com
